Positioning apparatus for flexible martial arts striking targets

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is technology relating generally to practice equipment for boxing or the martial arts, and more particularly, to an apparatus for positioning flexible targets and the like for use in hitting or kicking exercises. More specifically, the technology provides embodiments of an apparatus that is capable of removable and adjustable mounting to a bag, pole, board, door, bar, block, wall, rod, ball, or flexible or rigid armature, or other support. Additional embodiments relate to methods of assembling the apparatus, methods of using the apparatus, and kits and systems relating to the apparatus.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/524,433, filed Jun. 23, 2017, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to practice equipment for boxing or themartial arts, and more particularly, to an apparatus for positioningflexible targets and the like for use in hitting or kicking exercises.More specifically, this invention is an apparatus which is capable ofremovable and adjustable mounting to a bag, pole, board, door, bar,block, wall, rod, ball, or flexible or rigid armature, or other support.

BACKGROUND

Martial arts practitioners frequently break wooden boards or likemembers in order to develop and demonstrate powerful hand and footstrikes. This poses several disadvantages during exercise practice.First, a typical martial arts practitioner may destroy a large number ofboards in a single day, rendering the practice highly wasteful andunduly expensive. So-called “reusable” striking boards have beeninvented to address this issue. More importantly, the practice ofbreaking boards is relatively slow—requiring the target to be resetafter each strike. Even if a quick-resetting or self-resetting board wasproposed, it would not be fast enough for repeated striking techniques,which can recur as frequently as five strikes per second during martialarts practice or demonstration. To address both of these disadvantages,strike targets may be used that are composed of thick flexible sheets ofplastic, paper, fabric, or the like. These sheets may produce a loudsmacking sound when struck with sufficient power, velocity, andaccuracy. They are inherently reusable and the elasticity of thematerial makes them quickly self-resetting. Frequently, the sheet isheld by an assistant who positions the target as needed, but thisrequires a trained assistant and prohibits solo work. Flag-style andcurtain-style devices are available for solo practice, but since theseuse gravity to hang the sheet vertically, perpendicular to the floor,they are useful for only a limited array of striking combinations.

What is needed is an apparatus for positioning flexible strikingtargets, distinct from the existing holders of rigid or breakabletargets such as paddles, pegs, and boards (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos.7,614,980, 4,973,045), and distinct from holders that drape or suspendflexible sheets (e.g., 2016/0236054, 2012/0053023), and further distinctfrom holders that stretch target sheets for one-time breakage (e.g. U.S.Pat. No. 4,757,990). The apparatus should allow the sheets to bepositioned at any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal angle with respectto the floor. For safety, it should be possible for all substantiallyrigid elements of the apparatus to be on the opposite side of theflexible striking target from the martial arts practitioner during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear understanding of the key features of the invention may be had byreference to the appended drawings which illustrate the invention,although it will be understood that such drawings depict preferredembodiments of the invention and, therefore, are not to be considered aslimiting its scope with regard to other embodiments which the inventionis capable of contemplating. Accordingly:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one example of a flexible targetpositioning apparatus temporarily and non-destructively attached to atraining bag via elastic band such that the target is oriented primarilyvertically, with the flexible target portion of the apparatus closest tothe martial arts practitioner.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of one example of a flexible targetpositioning apparatus temporarily and non-destructively attached to atraining bag via elastic band such that the target sheet is orientedprimarily horizontally.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of one example of a flexibletarget positioning apparatus.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of one example of a first supportmember.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of one example of a second supportmember.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of one example of a bracing clip.

FIG. 7 depicts a partially exploded perspective view of one example of afirst support member, a pair of second support members, and anattachment means using a barbed spring clip.

FIG. 8 depicts a partially exploded perspective view of one example of afirst support member, a pair of second support members, and anattachment means using a threaded fastener.

FIG. 9 depicts an exploded perspective view of one example of a firstsupport member and one example of a support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention is described in terms of particularembodiments and applications, it is not intended that these descriptionsin any way limit its scope to any such embodiments and applications, andit will be understood that many substitutions, changes and variations inthe described embodiments, applications and details of the apparatusillustrated herein can be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of this invention.

The present invention comprises a novel apparatus which may be fixedlyor removably attached to a support for the positioning of flexibletargets at any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal angle with respect tothe ground and to the martial arts practitioner. The flexible target hasa curved shape to provide sufficient rigidity to overcome the force ofgravity when positioned parallel to the floor. The rigidity induced bythe curved shape also shortens the time required for the flexible targetto reset for the next strike. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatusimparts an axial bend to create the curved shape while still allowingsubstantially free motion of the flexible target and preventing tearing,undesired kinking, or other permanent damage to the flexible targetduring use. The flexible target may be molded or formed in the curvedconfiguration, or it may be an initially flat sheet of plastic, paper,or fabric, with the curved shape induced by interaction with otherelements of the apparatus. The flexible target may be an extension ofthe means of attachment to the support, or as in a preferred embodiment,it may be a separate sheet that is captured by other elements of theapparatus.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible target is held between at leasttwo support members with at least one of the support members having acurved, beveled, or chamfered shape such as to induce an axial bend andcreate a curved shape of the flexible target. In a preferred embodiment,one or more support members contain at least one registration means,such as a pin, peg, tab, latch, ball, adhesive region, or the like—saidregistration means interlocking through holes, surfaces, slots, or edgesin the flexible target to retain the flexible target in the apparatusduring use. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus may further includeat least one brace or clip which provides additional mechanical strengthto the apparatus and/or serves to hold the at least two support memberstogether, though other embodiments may achieve this end via adhesives,magnets, threads, clips, tabs, and/or the like. In a preferredembodiment, the apparatus is positioned relative to a support structure,such as a punching bag, or a bar, block, wall, rod, ball, or flexible orrigid armature using adhesives, magnets, threads, clips, tabs and/or atleast one band under tension.

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 1 is provided for positioning aflexible target sheet 2 relative to a support 3 using a band 4. As shownin FIG. 2, the apparatus 1 may be oriented at any horizontal, vertical,or diagonal angle normal to the surface of the support 3, which may bepositioned at any angle with respect to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 3, the flexible target sheet 2 is held between atleast two support members. First support member 5 having a curved shapesuch as to induce an axial bend and create a curved shape in theflexible target sheet 2. Both first support member 5 and second supportmember 6 serve to orient the flexible target sheet 2 relative to andprovide a strong means for attachment to support 3. First support member5 and/or second support member 6 contain at least one registration means10—said registration means 10 interlocking through openings 9 in theflexible target to retain the flexible target as part of the apparatusduring use. The apparatus may further include at least one bracing clip7 which provides additional mechanical strength to the apparatus and mayserve to hold the first support member 5 and the second support member 6together, capturing the flexible target sheet 2 between them. Elasticring 8 holds first support member 5 and the second support member 6 andthe at least one bracing clip 7 together without the need for additionalfasteners or adhesives. Band 4 is connected to elastic ring 8 and servesto hold the apparatus 1 against the surface of the support 3. Band 4 maybe tightened using elastic or buckles or knots or hook & loop closuresor other tightening means.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first support member 5 contains curved wings 11attached to normally projecting surface 14. Said curved wings 11 inducean axial bend and create a curved shape in the flexible target sheet 2while still allowing the flexible target sheet 2 to move during strikingby the martial arts practitioner. Normally projecting surface 14contains registration means 10 and a slot 13 to capture the bracing clip7. The normally projecting surface 14 is connected to a tangentiallyprojecting surface 12 which orients the first support member 5 relativeto the support 3. Tangentially projecting surface 12 also includes aslot 13 to allow penetration of the bracing clip 7. In the preferredembodiment, the first support member 5 contains grooves 15 which capturethe elastic ring 8.

Referring to FIG. 5, the second support member 6 contains a normallyprojecting surface 19 with registration means 17 and a slot 18 tocapture the bracing clip 7. The normally projecting surface 19 isconnected to a tangentially projecting surface 16 which orients thesecond support member 6 relative to the support 3. Tangentiallyprojecting surface 16 also includes a slot 18 to allow penetration ofthe bracing clip 7. In the preferred embodiment, the second supportmember 6 contains grooves 20 which capture the elastic ring 8.

Referring to FIG. 6, the bracing clip 7 contains a slot 22 whichcaptures both first support member 5 and second support member 6 duringuse. A tangential surface 23 orients the bracing clip 7 relative to thesupport 3. The bracing clip 7 contains grooves 21 which capture theelastic ring 8.

During assembly, the flexible target sheet 2 is aligned withregistration means 10 and placed onto the first support member 5. Thenthe second support member 6 is placed onto the flexible target sheet 2such that registration means 17 are aligned with registration means 10.Bracing clip 7 is then inserted through the slots in tangentiallyprojecting surfaces 12 and 16 such that slot 22 mates with slots 13 and18. Elastic ring 8 is stretched around tangentially projecting surfacesof apparatus 1. In the preferred embodiment, the elastic ring 8 iscaptured in grooves 15, 20, and 21. Band 4 is then used to attachapparatus 1 to the support 3. Alternatively, mounting holes 24 may beused to attach apparatus 1 to the support 3 or to any other rigid,flexible, and/or repositionable support.

Referring to FIG. 7, the apparatus 1 captures the flexible target sheet2 between first support member 5, and at least one second support member6. The first support member 5 contains bent and/or curved wings 11attached to or integrally extending from normally projecting surface 14.Said curved wings 11 induce an axial bend and create a curved shape inthe flexible target sheet 2 while still allowing the flexible targetsheet 2 to move during striking by the martial arts practitioner. Atangentially projecting surface 12 extends from the normally projectingsurface 14 and orients the first support member 5 relative to thesupport 3. Tangentially projecting surface 12 may also include at leastone mounting hole or mounting slot 24 for attaching the apparatus 1 tothe support 3. In the preferred embodiment, the at least one secondsupport member 6 contains registration means 17—said registration means17 interlocking through holes 9 in the flexible target 2 intoregistration means 10 in the first support member 5 to retain theflexible target 2 in the apparatus during use. The at least one secondsupport member 6 may include barbs, springs, clips, and the like 7 whichserve to hold the first support member 5 and the at least one secondsupport member 6 together. Elastic ring 8 wraps, stretches, or passesaround the normally projecting surface 14 at or near the areas ofcontact between normally projecting surface 14 and tangentiallyprojecting surface 12. Band 4 is connected to or integrally part ofelastic ring 8 and serves to hold the apparatus 1 against the surface ofthe support 3.

Referring to FIG. 8, the apparatus 1 captures the flexible target sheet2 between first support member 5, and at least one second support member6. The first support member 5 contains bent and/or curved wings 11attached to or integrally extending from normally projecting surface 14.Said curved wings 11 induce an axial bend and create a curved shape inthe flexible target sheet 2 while still allowing the flexible targetsheet 2 to move during striking by the martial arts practitioner. Atangentially projecting surface 12 extends from the normally projectingsurface 14 and orients the first support member 5 relative to thesupport 3. Tangentially projecting surface 12 may also include at leastone mounting edge or mating surface 24 for attaching the apparatus 1 tothe support 3. In the preferred embodiment, the first support member 5contains registration means 10—said registration means 10 interlockingthrough holes 9 in the flexible target 2 into registration means 17 inthe at least one second support member 6 to retain the flexible target 2in the apparatus during use. The at least one second support member 6and the first support member 5 may be held together using a threadedfastener 7. Elastic ring 8 wraps, stretches, or passes around thenormally projecting surface 14 at or near the areas of contact betweennormally projecting surface 14 and tangentially projecting surface 12.Band 4 is connected to or integrally part of elastic ring 8 and servesto hold the apparatus 1 against the surface of the support 3.

Referring to FIG. 9, in a preferred embodiment one or more matingsurface or mounting slot 24 may be captured by one or more clips or tabs25 to hold the apparatus 1 against the surface of support 3 when support3 is not a punching bag.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for positioning a flexible strikingtarget, the apparatus comprising: a) a flexible striking target; b) afirst support member, said first support member designed to providecurvature in the flexible striking target; c) a second support member,said second support member designed to retain the flexible strikingtarget against the first support member; and d) a support memberattachment means for maintaining the position of said second supportmember relative to said first support member.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 further comprising protruding features on the first support memberand/or the second support member, wherein said protruding features passthrough perforations in the flexible striking target.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the support member attachment means comprises a clip.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member attachment meanscomprises a means selected from the group consisting of a magnet, anadhesive, a snap, a barb, a spring, and a threaded fastener.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible striking target comprises athin sheet of plastic, paper, or fabric.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the flexible striking target comprises alignment and/orregistration features.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidcurvature in the flexible striking target increases the stiffness of thestriking target.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatussupports the striking target along only one edge.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a means for attaching the apparatus to asupporting structure.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said meansfor attaching the apparatus to a supporting structure comprises a strapthat may be tightened.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said strapcomprises elastic.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thesubstantially rigid elements of the apparatus are on the opposite sideof the flexible striking target from the martial arts practitioner. 13.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is capable of holding theflexible striking target at a height and horizontal, vertical, ordiagonal angle with respect to the floor and the martial artspractitioner.
 14. A system for positioning a flexible striking target,the system comprising the apparatus of claim 1 and a supportingstructure.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said supporting structurecomprises an exercise bag.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein saidsupporting structure comprises a structure selected from the groupconsisting of a bar, block, pad, rod, ball, flexible or rigid armature,pole, box, wall, door, door-frame, or piece of furniture.
 17. The systemof claim 14 wherein said apparatus may be removed from said supportingstructure without damaging said supporting structure.
 18. A method ofmartial arts training comprising: a) attaching an apparatus according toclaim 1 to a supporting structure; and b) striking said flexiblestriking target of said apparatus with martial arts strikes.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 wherein said flexible striking target is repeatedlystruck without user intervention to reset the target between strikes.20. The method of claim 18 further comprising assembling said flexiblestriking target, said first support member, and said second supportmember to provide the apparatus, wherein said assembling occurs withouttools or fasteners.